Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. American: An Autobiography

by Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

The first Black man to graduate from West Point in this century describes the discrimination he faced in the Armed Forces, his successful command of air combat units in World War II, and his rise to the rank of three-star general

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Autobiography, American History, Memoir

480 pages, Hardcover

First published December 17, 1991

Reviews

[Jerry Borrowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book. I am so frustrated that Davis was "silenced" while at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where not one other cadet spoke to him, except for official reasons, during his entire tenure. Davis and his father were the first black American generals in the U.S. Army, and his is a story well worth reading. I highly recommend this book.

[Maureta Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

General Davis Jr went through extreme challenges to achieve his dream and goal. He didn't let anything stand in his way. And although he went through hardships he maintained his dignity and honor.

[? · Rating 5 out of 5]

American

[Roger Burk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been sitting on my shelf since it came out in '91. It seemed like a good time to take it down for a read. Davis is not one to carry grudges, and he greatly enhances his credibility by noting frankly when he does now the circumstances or motivation behind a questionable action. He can praise the worthy actions of people he dislikes. But clearly the way he was treated at West Point was appalling and infuriating. Few people would talk to him outside the line of duty. Some cadets refused to eat at his table. He never had a roommate. He made no friends. He graduated 35th in a class of 276.

At first his professional life met with many obstacles and indignities, both petty and serious. The Army hardly know what to do with him because he could not be put in a position over white soldiers. He spent many years with ROTC detachments at black colleges. His great opportunity came during WWII, when he was accepted for pilot training and joined the new segregated flying units in the Army Air Force. There his abilities quickly earned him command and promotion to colonel. His units had excellent combat records. He helped prove that black airmen could do just as well as anyone else, despite the fears of those who didn't want to let them try. After the war he joined the new Air Force and rejoiced in its desegregation. He was very proud of his service's role in leading the country in this righteous and necessary social change.

Then there's a marked change of tone in the autobiography. Racial problems become rare and minor. It's a story of one responsible and challenging assignment after another. Everyone is warm, generous, intelligent, congenial, efficient, conscientious. All operations are brilliantly successful and all organizations are efficient. We get a blow-by-blow of every reception, dinner, meeting, and conference, and we hear of all the good friends he makes everywhere he goes. His wife goes sightseeing and shopping, hobnobs with wives of local bigwigs, and takes classes. Clearly he kept a detailed diary of all his doings, but frankly it gets a bit tedious. He was a very gregarious guy, but I guess that's typical of general offices. The only major downer is sometimes having to live in DC, which in the early 1960s was still a segregated city.

Tidbits: His father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., was also an Army general, the first black general in the US. Davis Senior enlisted in 1899 and within a few months (!) he was promoted to sergeant-major; a few years later he was offered a commission. His big advantage in compared to other soldiers was that he could read. Davis Junior was appointed to West Point Class of 1936 by a black Republican congressman. In his retirement Davis became a national champion for the 55 mph speed limit, on the grounds that it saved lives. He disliked the term "African American" because it divided Americans into ethnic groups. He wanted integration on terms of equality, not separation. He declined to have his portrait put up at West Point to "inspire black cadets"--he felt that would be divisive. He wanted to be remembered for his achievements, not his race. He supported affirmative action to remedy the effects of past injustices. He married soon after graduating from West Point and his wife Agatha supported him warmly throughout his career, but they had no children. She was light-skinned enough to pass for white, which led to a number of amusing and/or appalling incidents.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Davis had so many people working to see him fail, but he persevered, and worked hard instead of fighting back. He is a model leader to develop personal relationships to get past hurdles in achieving organizational goals. I had this book signed by him when I started Air Force ROTC in 1991, and I'm so glad I kept it and finally took time to read it.

[Roberta Havel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book three and one-half starts. Benjamin O. Davis, in his autobiography, discusses the mind boggling horrendous treatment of African American men in the US military through WWII and beyond.

The first 150 pages of this book were captivating and a real educational opportunity, but with a few exceptions, it began to read more like a diary of everyone General Davis met at every base he visited and every event he attended throughout his impressive career.

I do recommend this autobiography for its historical content, but beware, there are parts of the book that the reader might want to skim.

[Paul Jarzabek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent biography of a very strong willed individual. Good detail and descriptions of life experiences.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written autobiography of Tuskegee Airman and Air Force Lt. General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.

[Barbara Adde]

Recommended by Jim S